And he was not quite sure but that she regarded him as a boy.

He thought that she did love him,--or would do so if he asked her,--but that her love would be bestowed upon him as on an inferior creature.

He was already jealous of his own dignity, and fearful lest he should miss the glory of being loved by this lovely one for his own sake,--for his own manhood, and his own gifts and his own character.
And yet his attraction to her was so great that now in the day of his sorrow he could think of no solace but what was to be found in her company.
"Not at the Oaks!" she said as soon as he was shown into the drawing-room.
"No;--not at the Oaks.

Lord Grex is there, I suppose ?" "Oh yes;--that is a matter of course.

Why are you a recreant ?" "The House sits to-day." "How virtuous! Is it coming to that,--that when the House sits you will never be absent ?" "That's the kind of life I'm going to lead.